What tempts YOU ?

The opposite sex

What tempts YOU ? The opposite sex Drugs

What tempts YOU ? The opposite sex Drugs The internet…Face book or Worse

What tempts YOU ? The opposite sex Drugs The internet…Face book or Worse Alcohol…”nite life”

What tempts YOU ? The opposite sex Drugs The internet…Face book or Worse Alcohol…”nite life” Food…(chicken wings)

Natural desires are NOT wrong Fulfilled within GOD’S plan and timing For example: sexual desire fulfilled within the context of marriage God calls ‘good’, Gen 2: God wants our desires satisfied in His way and His timing.

Temptation Tempt has a twofold meaning : Incite or Entice to EVIL or Seduce to sin

GOD DOES NOT TEMPT James 1 :13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desires and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

The Holy Spirit allows Testing SATAN and his minions Tempt mankind

1Peter 5:8-10 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

SATAN wants to be like GOD because he is not like God

GOD IS omnipresent-everywhere

SATAN wants to be like GOD because he is not like God GOD IS omnipresent-everywhere omnipotent-all powerful

SATAN wants to be like GOD because he is not like God GOD IS omnipresent-everywhere omnipotent-all powerful omniscient-all knowing

SATAN wants to be like GOD because he is not like God GOD IS omnipresent-everywhere omnipotent-all powerful omniscient-all knowing SATAN IS NOT….but he does know our past failures, and does tempt us in those areas. HE KNOWS THE SINFUL NATURE IN US

1 Corinthians 10:12&13 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall ! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it”.

All of that to get to our text for today Matt 4 :1-11 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.” When and where are you tempted?

Vs. 3 The tempter came to Him and said,”If you are the son of God, tell these stones to become bread “ IF should be translated Since A real physical temptation or as it is called in 1 John 2 :16 Lust of the Flesh

Jesus answers with scripture Vs. 4 “Jesus answered, It is written: `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Deut 8:3 “He humbled you, causing you to hunger, feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

Matthew 4: 5 & 6 “Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘IF you are the son of God, he said, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against the stone.’”

Satan misquotes Scripture Psalms 91: 11 & 12 “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in your hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” This is a spiritual temptation or the Pride of Life according to 1 John 2:16.

Matthew 4: 7 “Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: ‘ Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Deut. 6:16 & 17 “Do not put your Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah. Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees He has given you.”

Matthew 4: 8 & 9 “Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give to you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” This is the Lust of the Eyes according to 1John 2:16, but this is a psychological testing.

Christ answers in Matthew 4: 10 “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” Deut 6: Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only and take your oaths in His name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the people around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and His anger will burn against you, and He will destroy you from the face of the land.”

Victory is available 1Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

AND Blessing come with Victory Matt 4:11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attend him.